He needs to be playing on the left side and he has to has to has to start being physical every game. Every handful of games Comeau goes out & hits everyone & he's really productive. But then the next game he just stops hitting. I don't get it.

As for his standing with the coach & the whole benching, I'm sure that Jack is just trying to send him a message. But at the same time, Jack isn't doing him any favors by putting him on the right side when he has a long history of being a superior LW. It would be one thing if the move was made for a star player, but Brian Rolston isn't as good as Comeau is now. They should worry about putting the better player in the best position to succeed.

but as was discussed in another thread, BC has been a real rags-killer the last 2 yrs (8G, 4A), so his benching was a little surprising. Basically, someone had to sit to make room for Gillies, and Cappy sat BC instead of Rolston or Pandolfo.

just my speculation but i think he was benched because capuano wants guys putting pucks on net not circling the offensive zone looking to dish. comeau is effective when he's shooting going to the net not when hes circling and trying to make plays.

Gillies was dressed in case the foul play starts against the Rags and in light of the liberties TB took with the team.

Sometimes he needs a kick in the butt.

I do find it weird the way Capuano has answered questions about Comeau's scratching. To me it sounds like more than just poor play. Perhaps trade? Perhaps he did something to piss off the coaching staff?

I do find it weird the way Capuano has answered questions about Comeau's scratching. To me it sounds like more than just poor play. Perhaps trade? Perhaps he did something to piss off the coaching staff?

Or maybe I'm just reading too much into it.

I'm sure it's a "piss off the coaching staff" scratch. Comeau's been known to think he's entitled to something that he doesn't deserve by just sitting there. That's why he was sent down at the beginning of the season a few years ago, and scratched more than once in his career.

I don't think he's being traded, I think it was performance-related. Not output, specifically, but effort and lack of consistency.

I think this is the first time that Capuano has benched Comeau, please someone correct me if I'm wrong. I know Gordon did it a few times but I don't think Cappy did. In fact, Capuano continued to give Comeau important minutes as the season went on. Comeau was essentially a first line player under Capuano in terms of minutes - spread between PP, PK AND ES.

This came as a surprise to me, I thought Rolston was the weakest forward on the Islanders the first four games. NOt sure if they needed Rolston's cap hit either, because I'm sure they were well below the cap floor as soon as Dipietro got hurt.

I like Capuano's stance on not commenting on roster changes. I think it's important that stays within the team.

Based on Comeau's comments and Capuano's comments, I suspect it was based on his poor play/effot.

I'm sure it's a "piss off the coaching staff" scratch. Comeau's been known to think he's entitled to something that he doesn't deserve by just sitting there. That's why he was sent down at the beginning of the season a few years ago, and scratched more than once in his career.

I know of no evidence to support the theory that he thinks he is entitled. If you have some proof, please provide it.
I also do not remember him being benched while a member of the regular roster. He was sent down quite a few years ago by Nolan, but remember, he is still only 25, so he was probably 22 when he came up and down, which is not unusual for a young player on a veteran laden roster like we had in '07-08.

Sometimes they are scratched if the GM knows they are being traded and doesn't want them to get hurt. Happened to Bill Guerin.

Actually it really doesn't happen that a player doesn't play prior to a trade. That Guerin situation was completely unique of you remember. Supposedly they had a deal in place with a certain team (I believe it was Washington), but the player coming back didn't waive his NMC. Therefore Guerin was pulled from the lineup as the deal was agreed to between Snow and the other GM. When the deal fell apart it was agreed that it would have been awkward to put him back in the lineup, so Guerin waited on the sidelines while Snow searched for the best deal possible which was a conditional 3rd rounder from Pittsburgh.

However a situation like this is very rare. Players usually play right up until they're traded.

I know of no evidence to support the theory that he thinks he is entitled. If you have some proof, please provide it.
I also do not remember him being benched while a member of the regular roster. He was sent down quite a few years ago by Nolan, but remember, he is still only 25, so he was probably 22 when he came up and down, which is not unusual for a young player on a veteran laden roster like we had in '07-08.

Maybe I misinterpreted the situation but I feel like every time he plays poorly it seems as though it was a run in with the coach. I'm just assuming it's based on him wanting to play a more prominent role while the coach doesn't believe he earned it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by periferal

Actually it really doesn't happen that a player doesn't play prior to a trade. That Guerin situation was completely unique of you remember. Supposedly they had a deal in place with a certain team (I believe it was Washington), but the player coming back didn't waive his NMC. Therefore Guerin was pulled from the lineup as the deal was agreed to between Snow and the other GM. When the deal fell apart it was agreed that it would have been awkward to put him back in the lineup, so Guerin waited on the sidelines while Snow searched for the best deal possible which was a conditional 3rd rounder from Pittsburgh.

However a situation like this is very rare. Players usually play right up until they're traded.

That's true, it was a strange situation. But it happened with him and Derek Morris at the same deadline. It can happen, but yeah it's probably unlikely unless Garth has already agreed to a deal.

The whole Comeau situation is simply that he is likely the odd man out right now. And because he is young, a 20-goal scorer and has a one-year contract he is the best bargaining chip we have if we are still pursuing a top 4 defenseman. I don't think it goes any further than that.

Nino needs a position to play and it makes sense to play him with Bailey and Rolston. A playmaking center and a defensively responsible winger allows Nino to play a simple game when he starts his NHL career. Get to the net and pick up goals. Use his shot and not have to create his shot.

If a physical d-man is available then that is the trade. If not available then the trade waits until it is. We are finally approaching that period of time when this franchise starts to get a backlog of talent in the system, and hard decisions need to be made. We haven't had that issue since the early 80's. But it is coming over the next few years. Comeau is a nice player but his upside is where he is now, unless there is some hidden scoring talent that gets him to the 30 goal level.

Who does Strome replace next year or two years from now? Or Petrov if he is ready and comes over next year? When you have depth it gives you flexibility to trade to fit need. If I'm Garth I think I have a special thing going on this year. This team has talent, and now it looks like it is finally learning how to win. The last three wins were significant because of how they played with the lead in the third period. This is where Reasoner, Pandolfo and Roulston are so important; they know how to hold a late lead. A real Top 4 d-man might well be the final piece in putting this team over the top THIS YEAR.

If it costs Comeau or Bailey, THAT'S THE PRICE TO PAY.

Although he is not a truly physical player Cody Franson might be available. Maybe a swap of the two with a draft pick going each way. Comeau and a 4th for Franson and a 2nd? Maybe something like that.

I think it really comes down to if Nino can replace Comeau at this point when he returns. It's really the only spot for him, do not mess with the chemistry on the first two lines (and maybe even the 4th for that matter).

The whole Comeau situation is simply that he is likely the odd man out right now. And because he is young, a 20-goal scorer and has a one-year contract he is the best bargaining chip we have if we are still pursuing a top 4 defenseman. I don't think it goes any further than that.

Nino needs a position to play and it makes sense to play him with Bailey and Rolston. A playmaking center and a defensively responsible winger allows Nino to play a simple game when he starts his NHL career. Get to the net and pick up goals. Use his shot and not have to create his shot.

If a physical d-man is available then that is the trade. If not available then the trade waits until it is. We are finally approaching that period of time when this franchise starts to get a backlog of talent in the system, and hard decisions need to be made. We haven't had that issue since the early 80's. But it is coming over the next few years. Comeau is a nice player but his upside is where he is now, unless there is some hidden scoring talent that gets him to the 30 goal level.

Who does Strome replace next year or two years from now? Or Petrov if he is ready and comes over next year? When you have depth it gives you flexibility to trade to fit need. If I'm Garth I think I have a special thing going on this year. This team has talent, and now it looks like it is finally learning how to win. The last three wins were significant because of how they played with the lead in the third period. This is where Reasoner, Pandolfo and Roulston are so important; they know how to hold a late lead. A real Top 4 d-man might well be the final piece in putting this team over the top THIS YEAR.

If it costs Comeau or Bailey, THAT'S THE PRICE TO PAY.

Although he is not a truly physical player Cody Franson might be available. Maybe a swap of the two with a draft pick going each way. Comeau and a 4th for Franson and a 2nd? Maybe something like that.

The Canadian papers have covered this some. Franson was a healthy scratch and not happy about it, and went public with it. Toronto has at least 7 NHL level defensemen and Burke has made no secret he would be willing to acquire another forward. Based on Franson's numbers the last two years in Nashville you would think he would be starting.